Mike Cameron hit .203 in 78 games this season, 45 of them with the Marlins.

Stymied thus far in their quest to find a long-term answer in center field, the Nationals today came up with what appears to be a short-term solution: Mike Cameron.

The Nationals agreed to terms with the veteran outfielder on a minor-league contract, according to a source familiar with the deal. Cameron, who turns 39 next month, isn't guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster. If he does, he won't be counted on to be an everyday player, but he could wind up platooning in center field with a left-handed hitter (perhaps Roger Bernadina or Rick Ankiel) or coming off the bench.

Either way, the Cameron signing seems to indicate the Nationals intend to plug their hole in center field with stop-gaps for now, keeping the position open for whenever top prospect Bryce Harper is deemed big-league ready. Once that happens, Harper could take over in right field, with Jayson Werth sliding over to center field.

Once one of the premier center fielders in baseball, Cameron is a three-time Gold Glove Award winner who has struggled both to stayRead more »

Although a little younger, this reminds me of the Matt Stairs gaffe last year. Cameron has proved over the last two seasons that he is done; he is not going to suddenly find his game again at 39. Subraction by addition. Bad move.Pilchard

Cameron wouldn't be more than a right-handed bat off the bench starting once/wk, who may be keeping Marrero's bench space warm until the latter returns from injury.I'm aware that Marrero plays 1B and not OF, but they would serve the same purpose on the bench as a late-inning PH.

How does this move indicate that the plan is to hold the CF postion open until Bryce Harper is ready? Cameron is a bench RHB that can play all 3 OF spots and has some pop and OBP ability. It does not mean that the club has taken some tact that has anyting to do with Harper. Werth could still be the Opening Day CF with Harper in a corner.IF this is a minor league deal, I want to see the official announcement first, then I think it is a good one. But verbal altercation that gets you waived, two time PED loser and strong clubhosue presence don't seem to mesh very well in one guy. But I am happy that Zuck resisted — and it may have taken every fiber of his being — using the word "mentor".dfh21

Nah, this is yet another insurance guy. He can still field enough to play center a bit if all other plans fall through, but I wonder if he can even hit lefties anymore. Seems like Plan D to me, with two of the existing plans in center not all the great to begin with and one still missing.

Nats1924,The Nats shouldn't got after Pierre because he's terrible. His batting average is completely empty- and his OBP isn't very good either (.329). He's Nyjer Morgan, but a weaker bat and can't play CF. I'll give you one guess as to who had the second worst slugging percentage last season.For the same reasons, the Nats shouldn't be dumpster diving for washed up 39 year olds. At least Ankiel was still only 32 when they signed him.Let me get this straight, the Nats weren't willing to give $2.5mil+ to a 30 year old with potential for good OBP skills, but they're prepared to pay an old has-been about $500,000.Glad Phase II is finally kicking into full gear!

Anonymous said…this makes no sense. why not just resign Ankiel?December 19, 2011 4:36 PM————————————————Probably because Bernadina is out of options and they're both lefty 4th OF types. Why spend money on Ankiel when you can get Bernadina for cheaper and not have to expose him to waivers (where they'd almost definitely lose him).The flip side is Cameron has been terrible the past few season and although a platoon situation would make sense, has actually been worse against LHP, slashing .165/.267/.352 last season.But I don't think this is cause to freak out or anything. He's signed to a minor league deal, so if something better comes along or this doesn't work out, it's no biggie to just drop him. He's not our opening day starter or anything.

Will, I think your depth chart is a bit screwy because mine only says Bernadina. Cameron signed a minor-league deal, therefore he's not on the active roster. I, for one, don't see anything wrong with giving some older or wilder guys tickets to camp to kick the tires and see if there's anything left. Now, if he does make the team in a starting role, that's when I'll freak out.

My point is that there really isn't anyone else available.Rick Ankiel, Coco Crisp and Cody Ross are the only CF free agents. If you move Werth to CF, then you have options like Ryan Spilborgs, Luke Scott, Jonny Gomes, Johnny Damon and Carlos Beltran. Besides Beltran, they're all pretty poor options.So I'm not sure how we begin on Opening Day without Cameron or Bernadina as one of our starting outfielders.

Also, trades appear less and less likely. Rizzo seems to overvalue his farm system, and has yet to be willing to acquire a decent CF.The problem is every other GM can see our shitty situation in CF. Why on earth wouldn't Dipoto and Friedman ask the world for Bourjos and Upton? They know Rizzo has no other options. So now Rizzo will have to overpay if he wants to acquire any players.I don't see Rizzo doing that, thus I'm not sure how the Nats end up with an OF Morse-Bernadina/Cameron-Werth. Unless they actually use Harper on Opening Day, which I think would be a huge mistake.

Man, this blog is tough to read some days. People go nuts over EVERY transaction, and even ones that don't occur.There just aren't that many great CF/leadoff types available. How many doses of PEDs can you buy for $10M? I say we pump Willie Mays full of them, then sign him to a minor league deal. If he gets caught, he's already in the HoF, so no biggie.

this makes no sense. why not just resign Ankiel?Ankiel doubtless was Riggleman's idea (Ben, NOT RIZZO Ben NOT get it yet?) and apparently was basically promised the starting job upon signing. Bernadina's fate basically sealed, another return engagement in Syracuse.That isn't going to happen with Johnson. He wants OFFENSE. Ankiel's offense holds up as a bench player but not as a starter.Dumpster dipping or diving == Jim 'AA manager' Riggleman NOT Rizzo.Ankiel still wants to start … it hasn't yet sunk in that it's not happening.

three words.minor.league.deal.one more word.december.there's no guarantee. none. lots of guys like this get signed every year and never see the major league roster. and it's december, which lots of potential roster machinations to happen in the next three months. why people get worked up over something like this, i have no idea. there's no way signing cameron precludes any other potential signing they could think of. he can't block anyone because his salary isn't guaranteed. they can just drop him unceremoniously. at any time. whether it be tomorrow, feb 1, or april 1.

People… Cameron can still go get em defensively…what better way to gauge your own talent then by bringing in a guy who has done it and can still do it.Now guys like Brown, Taylor and even the "Kid" can observe a pro like Cameron for 35 – 40 days in Spring Training. And if he has any bat speed left, he could go north until the others are ready come up in June or July.

And if he has any bat speed left, he could go north until the others are ready come up in June or July.Still has the very high OBP even when not hitting. His 'not' hitting is probably better than Arm Ankiel. He still has power. Its the knees. If they are still good then he makes the best possible bench outfielder for a group of young players. And he says he wants to mentor the young players and that this is likely his last year … what's not to like? Would have been nice if he were left-handed.

IDIOM: take a new tack (took a new tack, past tense) sailingMEANING 1: changing direction to take advantage of the wind SENTENCE 1: Let's take a new tack in approaching the harbor. She took a new tack in approaching the harbor.MEANING 2: to try a different approach, a new method SENTENCE 2: Let's take a different or new tack to that mathematical problem. We aren't getting a solution.

MicheleS said… "Well, as long as he has the D.. he might be the same as Ankiel (although I will miss his throws). And they can drop him to hitting 8th and bump Ramos up to 6/7 hole."===That makes sense at first blush, but look at his splits from last year:Batting 6th: .200/.245/.220 (54 at-bats)Batting 7th: .248/.322/.486 (120 at-bats)Batting 8th: .344/.403/.550 (145 at-bats)Go figure. Most players have problems hitting in front of the pitcher, but not Ramos. I think that makes him even more valuable.

It does not mean that the club has taken some tact that has anyting to do with Harper. Werth could still be the Opening Day CF with Harper in a corner.If Fielder ends up at first base now and for the next 5-7 along with the older Werth (Keep in mind Werth is going to be about Cameron's age and still under contract … ) then you have a perfect bench for Johnson:L LaRocheR CameronL BernadinaS LombardozziC Flores/Solano

…good said:Good luck with that… I think that's the anon who professes to be a linguist, and further holds that, since the language is in flux, the mere act of mis-using a word actually brings the mis-use into correct usage… Kinda shows how deeply some folks detest admitting they're wrong……

Do you think we'll even make a reasonable offer Cespedes? So far the Nats haven't been close on anyone. It's interesting they would sign Cameron and not even bid on Aoki. What does that say about Aoki?Rizzo may have other moves planned. Be that as it may, this one stands out right now because it's basically the sum total of what he's done so far to improve the team…and that's making folks nervous.

lesatcsc, if the Marlins didn't decide this was their year to spend, the Nats would have snagged Buehrle.Can't understand why Rizzo wouldn't be all over Joe Saunders as he is a less expensive option over Buehrle with similar numbers in 2011.BTW, anymore Prince Fielder sightings in DC? I saw someone I thought was Prince. When I yelled out the window "Hey Prince" the person turned out to be a large woman who asked me to refer to her as "Princess". Whoops.

******************************************Be that as it may, this one [Cameron] stands out right now because it's basically the sum total of what he's done so far to improve the team…******************************************Let's all take a deep, cleansing breath. The holidays are stressful enough.Remember, you don't sign someone to a minor-league contract "to improve the team" or fill that hole you have in center field.This and some other recent signings are about filling the roster for Spring Training. If Cameron — or any of the other recent dumpster-diving signings — show up in really great shape and have a phenomenal spring, maybe they make the club. But most of them won't be anything more than a split-squad substitute.As someone said earlier, we can get nervous if nothing has happened by MLK, Jr. Day. But not yet. Let's keep our collective blood pressure down.

JayB said…BIG difference between Cameron and Alex Cintron!I am fine with this move as a minor league deal.Good. Now go back and recant all your ranting from yesterday where you swore up and down they'd never do anything like this. Then STFU until the season starts.

CenterfieldYoenis Cespedes. The Cuban defector won't become available until January and still has some legal hurdles to clear regarding establishing his residency in the Dominican Republic and getting cleared by Major League Baseball and the United States Office of Foreign Assets. In addition, he has never played a game in an affiliated league, but the 26-year-old is a monster talent, a legitimate centerfielder with speed and big-time power to all fields.Best fit: Nationals. Assuming Bryce Harper will move to a corner, he and Cespedes could combine to terrorize National League pitching for the remainder of the decade, while inking Cespedes now could give the Nats an excuse to delay Harper's major league debut, which would be beneficial for both arbitration and development reasons.Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/cliff_corcoran/12/19/best.free.agents.remaining/index.html#ixzz1h22OX09j

It's a minor league deal who cares? If he earns a roster spot in sprig training then he earned the spot. If he doesnt we cut him and dont pay him anymore money. Can someone explain to me what the big deal is here?

Exposremains, I was just coming on to paste that from Ken Rosenthal.I hope these are not top Prospects. I would rather get 1 year of Brandon McCarthy then pay alot for Gio Gonzalez.The Latos deal is a short-term win and a long-term loss IMO.

Exposremains said…Sources: #Nationals pushing hard for Gio. Discussing 4-for-1 trade with #Athletics.This needs to happenAfter the Latos trade, this makes me nervous. He's good and controllable, which is great. But the guy walks over 4BB/9 in his career. Guessing it takes Cole, Norris, Peacock plus someone else. Solis, Ray, Lombo? That seems steep. I would hate to lose Cole, especially. Why can't they just give Oswalt the third year, and keep all those guys?

Rizzo, if you are repeating your rummored 4 for 1 trade like for Greinke in a Gio Gonzalez deal, don't trade the future for a guy that plays every 5 days unless his name is Roy Halladay.Gio Gonzalez is a good pitcher but gets you 4 more wins than John Lannan but if you give Gio the run support that Lannan got, then you are wasting your time.Get Joe Saunders for only cash and save the players for July 31st if you are in it. Sign Cespedes and put him in the Minors.

I will say it now, IF RIZZO TRADES PEACOCK PLUS 3 OTHER TOP PROSPECTS FOR GIO, HE SHOULD BE FIRED. Jocketty's trade for Latos was career suicide. Give them a choice of Detwiler or Lannan plus Norris and some lesser prospects.

Multiple posts in the past few days: Nothing is happening! We're doomed! Why is Rizzo making some moves? Get us a left-handed pitcher! Do something, anything to avoid signing old guys! Rizzo should be fired if the doesn't do a deal soon!Multiple posts in the last hour: Don't trade top prospects. This makes me nervous. Don't trade the future. Rizzo should be fired if he makes this trade!

As many times as Rosenthal has been wrong, I don't want to get too excited about anything he is selling. That being said, we would have Gio for 4 years which is nice considering how young he is. Honestly don't know that much about him but Oakland is a pitchers park (I believe) and he did walk a ton of people but his era is outstanding.

John Danks or David Price (if available might be better) … the real steal might have been KC getting Sanchez from the SFG. But he is a work horse innings eater much like Buehrle but lots younger. Another slam in the face for Lannan from this perspective:Jordan Zimmermann 161.5 xIP, tRA 3.48, pRAA 14.6Gio Gonzalez 204.6 xIP, tRA 4.09, pRAA 8.8Stephen Strasburg 23.7 xIP, tRA 1.04, pRAA 8.6John Lannan 182.3 xIP, tRA 5.05, pRAA -15.1

The trade of 4 Nats for GioGon smacks of Omar Minaya's trade of Brandon Phillips, Grady Sizemore, and Cliff Lee for the baloney privilege of having Bariatric Colon for a few months.Maybe Rizzo can become Minaya's assistant after he does the deal!

This is all Rosenthal says about who *might be* — i.e., his speculation — involved:"To acquire Gonzalez, who is under club control for four more years, the Nats likely would need to part with at least one of their young starting pitchers, perhaps right-hander Brad Peacock or lefty Ross Detwiler. The team also is deep at catcher."So don't panic, yet, OK? That said: Mike Cameron? I call "bowden."

I don't see the comparison with the proposed Greinke trade last year. Heading into this season, the Nationals just didn't have enough talent to make adding Greinke a smart move. But now they do, and adding the good-but-not-great Gio will take them a giant step towards the playoffs. My guess is, though, that either the team gets a center fielder AND Gio (or a Gio type) or they go for neither. All in, or all out would be my guess.

Remember, the last time they dealt with the A's they thought they were getting an almost major league ready CF in lefty Corey Brown. Injuries pretty much put the kibosh on him. It'll be interesting to see him in ST against Bernadina, Werth, Cameron, et al.

What the hell is Rizzo thinking of?Reminds me of what the Dodgers are doing, getting guys whose best times are behind them.What I don't understand is why get a Mike Cameron at 39 when they let Laynce Nix go and they could sign Ankiel who is not the greatest but at least we know what he can do and is at least the same as Cameron.Getting sick of looking forward to making the team better and we get another Matt Stairs who was the biggest bust of 2011.

Let's hit a few topics while I have a second.I just don't see why people freak out over the Cameron signing. If he pushes the players we have under contract, great. If we sign or trade for someone better or he stinks up the joint in ST, he's disposable. No big deal. Same argument I made over the Oliver Perez signing (whatever happened to him?).Re: Gio. Controllable for four years. That's worth a haul comparable to the Latos and Greinke deals. Peacock, Detwiler, Bernadina (the A's not live bodies for the OF), Norris and a Single A would be worth it to me. Look at Gio's last two years and tell me who if anyone has posted those numbers in a Nats uniform, ever?Re: Fielder. I know Boras is the best agent in the history of man, but doesn't it seem like the market for him is collapsing? Maybe the Cubs will shock the world, but it doesn't feel like Prince is getting an Albert-sized deal. Who knows, maybe the Prince market is starting to look reasonable for us.Serious question: if we traded for Gio and signed Prince, do we become the favorites in the NL East?

Serious question: if we traded for Gio and signed Prince, do we become the favorites in the NL East?No. It would be the Phillies. Certainly, it would definitely serve to make both the Marlins and the Braves nervous. The Marlins have the better up-and-coming young and talented lineup right now … adding Fielder along with Harper to the mix could go a long way to evening things up … perhaps surpassing by a wide margin with solid improvement up and down the line up by Nats prospects and first blush veterans.Anon – that is just what the team gets, not the player. I know point of comparison. Bowden or Buster are calling it the largest risk/reward gamble in the history of major league baseball.they let Laynce Nix go and they could sign Ankiel who is not the greatest but at least we know what he can do and is at least the same as Cameron.Let's see golfersal well first the true facts came to light and the Nats did indeed offer Nix as much if not more both in $$ and years. He picked the Phillies. The Nats FO and Johnson are still more than a bit miffed.Ankiel has the arm but believe it or not Cameron is the better fielder and wields the better bat. His does something Ankiel had a real problem with when Riggleman made him a starter: HE WALKS!!!! Ankiel improved on this in September after Davey replaced him with Werth. Ankiel only signed with the Nats because Riggleman told him he would start in CF and apparently Rizzo agreed. Its why Bernadina had his last option punched and he did yet another tour in Syracuse.

Yu Darvish by the numbers. We now know the posting was $51.7 million which will need to be paid in a lump sum in 30 days to the Ham Fighters if Darvish agrees to sign with the Rangers.If Darvish gets a rumored 5 year $75 million deal + the posting fee, he essentially will cost the Rangers $25.3 million a year.That's more than #1 pitchers are getting. Roy Halladay signed that 3 year $60 million deal with the Phillies last year.People are congratulating the Rangers for stepping up. I guess they had to after losing CJ Wilson to their rival Angels but if Darvish isn't better than a Top 10 pitcher, these types of deals become a strangle hold on a team.

I'd be very surprised if Darvish got 5/$75m. The Rangers are in a pretty strong position right now, because the Fighters will not get the record $51.7m posting fee if Darvish does not sign. It's in their interest to make sure he does not return. Darvish and his agent also probably don't want to not sign and risk injury or a down year in 2012. I think it's probably going to be closer to Dice-K's 6/$52mil contract than CJ Wilson-type money.

I think Rizzo might agree to a deal close to that, jeeves. I don't like it for us, because I don't think Gonzalez will ever throw enough strikes and has been lucky with HRs and BABIP somewhat pitching in that big ballpark, although I know his home/away splits weren't bad last year. But I also think Oakland will want a higher-rated prospect than Norris to top the deal. If they are giving up four team controlled years of a quality pitcher, I think they'll ask for a stud they can keep six years like Cole.

If I'm Darvish, I want a pretty good raise to come over to the US, because I can just have my deadbeat team repost me if they're so desperate for cash next year, or eventually declare my own free agency in a few years and make up that shortfall. He hates the system enough to create his own leverage. It's got to be 10 mil a year, probably 5/50 or so, so you're still looking at better than 20 mil a year pitcher. It's not my money, but that seems like high expectations to want him to be Halladay next year and stay healthy five years doing it when he's never thrown a pitch here.